The Sotair device from SafeBVM is a flow control valve that helps clinicians practise safer manual ventilation technique. It fits between a manual resuscitator (BVM) and a patient mask or airway, preventing inspiratory flow rates from exceeding 55 LPM during training scenarios.
By limiting flow, the Sotair device helps reduce peak airway pressures, excessive tidal volumes and excessive breath delivery rates. This minimises the risk of over-pressurisation, over-ventilation and hyperventilation, the most common technique errors during bag-valve-mask use.
How the Sotair device works
If the bag is squeezed too quickly or forcefully and inspiratory flow exceeds 55 LPM, the valve closes and creates resistance in the bag. This produces a tactile and auditory alarm with visual cues, prompting you to adjust technique and avoid the rapid, forceful squeezes that lead to unsafe ventilation.
Because Sotair is flow limiting rather than pressure limiting, it automatically adjusts peak pressure based on the patient's airway and lung compliance:
- Healthy lungs: peak pressures cap around 20 to 22 cmH₂O, below the threshold where air enters the stomach
- Increased airway resistance (asthma, COPD): peak pressure limit adjusts upward to meet patient need
- Restrictive lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis, obesity hypoventilation): limits adapt to compliance
Who it suits
- Paramedic and EMS training programs
- First aid and BVM technique refresher courses
- Simulation centres and clinical education teams
- Hospital and aged care resuscitation training
Backed by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Military, the Sotair device is small, lightweight and easy to integrate into existing BVM training kits.